inspired by: amber heard

Happy Easter Sunday, everyone! I hope that you are enjoying time with your family, however you celebrate. I will most definitely be eating too much chocolate and watching Willy Wonka with my family. Ah, tradition!

When my life gets busy and stressful, I look for things to inspire me. Sometimes that's a TV show, a movie, photography, or even a person! At the moment, it's Amber Heard.

Why Amber? Let's be honest - she is stunning. Not only is she stunning, but she has amazing red carpet style. She blends classic pieces with bold accessories and makeup, which I love - and she knows how to rock a bold lip! Amber also seems to do the most gorgeous retro-inspired photoshoots. I definitely have a soft spot for those! It is clear that Amber Heard is talented and beautiful...it is easy to be inspired by her flawless, fun style!

Do you love Amber Heard's style as much as I do?

xo Shannon

well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter.

Happy Good Friday!

I hope that you everyone is enjoying the day off work. Unfortunately, I am working like mad on my "day off" ...a freelance writer never rests! I am hoping that by working a ton today and tomorrow, that I might actually be able to relax on Sunday and spend time with my family. Fingers crossed.

So! To get myself in the mood for Easter, (and Spring weather, which seems to be arriving very very slowly) I thought that I would share some of the pictures that have been inspiring me for the holiday.

How are you spending your Good Friday? Are you excited about Easter?

xo Shannon

the odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it.

 Finally, finally, Target has come to Canada! This long-anticipated launch has caused quite the stir around here: Is it good? Will it be better than other stores? Are the prices too expensive?  Everyone has an opinion on the subject. So, I thought it was only fitting that I shared my own.

I've been to Target stores when I've visited the US, so I wasn't sure how the Canadian locations would compare to the US ones. For the most part, things were pretty much the same. There were a lot of the same brands, though we don't have all of them.

The prices weren't too bad. Overall, they were reasonably priced, but certainly not super cheap. The clothes were more expensive than say, Wal-Mart, but the quality of the clothes was a lot better. Mostly I was excited that there were Sonia Kashuk brushes! Unfortunately the selection was pretty low, but the stores aren't totally stocked yet. (I am trying to be patient on that one!)

I ended up picking up a bunch of clothes and some odds and ends. Here is my very first Canadian Target haul!

I picked up a couple of cute dresses that I absolutely cannot wait to wear. They will be absolutely perfect for Spring! The blue one is so adorable....love it!

There were some really cute blouses that I snagged - I am definitely all about floral print and lace right now, if you couldn't tell.

While I was there, I also picked up a super hilarious and awesome mustache sweater (I don't know why I love anything with a mustache on it...I just do!) and a cute pink top.

Lastly, I bought some awesome sunglasses (I am such a sunglasses addict) and a cute Sonia Kashuk makeup brush holder!

Overall, I am definitely happy with my experience at Target. So many cute things!

Canadians - have you visited a Target location yet?

xo Shannon

foundation face off: rimmel vs. rimmel

I am always on the search for the perfect foundation. I've tried many in my time, but hadn't quite found the one that was perfect for me. There are some that I like more than others...some that are good for summer...some that are good for winter...and some that aren't good at all. That's the thing about foundations - it all depends on what works best for your skin type.

For this Foundation Face Off, It's Rimmel vs. Rimmel with Clean Finish battling against the new Wake Me Up foundation. Who will win? Let's find out!

Rimmel: Clean Finish Foundation

Like I said, I've tried a lot of foundations. Before I tried Clean Finish, my favourite foundation was MAC Studio Fix Fluid. After trying Clean Finish? No contest. I was as shocked as anyone to find that I preferred a foundation that cost about five bucks to a high-end one.

What do I love? Just about everything! This is a medium to full coverage foundation - the highest coverage I've come across at the drugstore. The foundation blends well and has a really smooth texture. It also leaves a gorgeous, glowy finish on the skin, which looks fantastic in photographs.

The best thing about this foundation is that it doesn't dry out my skin. I have really dry skin, and this is so moisturizing. It doesn't ever leave my skin looking flaky or greasy. This is a fantastic foundation for anyone with dry skin. (If you've tried this out and have another skin type - how did it work for you?)

The only issue I have with this foundation is that same I have with all Rimmel foundations - the colour selection. I have this in the lightest shade and it really is a touch too dark for me. It's fine for summer but is a bit dark in winter....such a letdown!

VS.

Rimmel: Wake Me Up Foundation

This foundation just finally made its' way to my country. I had heard some amazing things about the Wake Me Up foundation from some makeup gurus and bloggers, so I simply had to give this one a try.

I have to get up at 6am every morning for work. Not fun. So, the idea of having a foundation that would make me look more awake was super exciting. Unfortunately, this foundation for me hasn't lived up to the hype.

Why? Well, for starters, it didn't live up to the promise to wake up the look of my skin. I look just as tired with the foundation on as I do without it! That was really disappointing. Other than that, I actually found the formula of this foundation to be really drying on my skin. It claims to have a moisturizing texture, but it made my dry skin feel even worse. Lastly, like all of the Rimmel foundations, the colour selection was poor.

Overall, this was a really disappointing product for me. I have heard so many people rave about it, but it just doesn't work with my skin.


So, the winner of this Foundation Face Off? Rimmel's Clean Finish foundation!

Have you tried either of these Rimmel foundations? What did you think of them?

xo Shannon

every great dream begins with a dreamer.

I can't believe it - my blog now has 1000+ followers on GFC! I know with all of the confusion about Google Reader, this may not seem like an important milestone, but it is to me. Thank you so much to everyone for supporting my little blog. Watching it grow has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

When I first started blogging, having 1000 followers was always my dream. I remember when I had 1 follower and 1000 seemed like the most impossible thing in the world. Somehow, I've reached my impossible goal. It's really hard for me to believe still.

Thank you for the support. I appreciate it so much!

xo Shannon

if you wear lipstick and pluck your eyebrows, you could wear nothing else.

I remember when I was younger, my Grandma told me never to pluck my eyebrows. According to her, they were strong. As sweet as this sentiment was, my eyebrows were absolutely awful. I felt too guilty to pluck them, not wanting to disrespect her wishes. This is the reason why every awkward teenaged picture of me features the worst eyebrows you can imagine.

Eventually, I ignored my Grandma's wishes and did something about those unruly brows. I have never looked back! Even though I don't have the perfect eyebrows, I've made them work for me.

Given my past, brow care is something I tend to focus on. I do them myself, so a good brow kit is essential. Recently, I picked up this super handy brow kit that is perfect for traveling. (I love to travel, so it never hurts to have something travel friendly!)

When it's put together, it essentially looks like a pen or eyeliner. But when you take it apart, there are all of these travel-sized brow tools to keep your eyebrows looking perfect anywhere! It includes a pair of tweezers, a brow comb, an angled brush and a rounded brush. The pieces click together to create that pen-like shape. It's a really great concept and I am definitely loving the convenience of having everything all in one place.

Have you tried anything like this? How do you take care of your eyebrows?

xo Shannon

the deep roots never doubt spring will come.

Tomorrow is officially the first day of Spring. If you're anything like me, you've been counting down the days! As much as I love Christmas and the winter holidays, I am not a fan of the cold. Or the snow. Or the ice. The winter has been tough this year. Unfortunately, there were a lot of really bad snowstorms where I live.

All the more reason to look forward to Spring. This time of year always feels like a re-birth. It's time to start putting away the coats, scarves and gloves, and bring out cute floral dresses and flats. I really can't wait for Spring fashion!

To get you in the mood for the new season, here are a few lines from a wonderful Springtime poem:

the season of spring
an new awakening
busy humanity on earth
as if it’s a new birth

listen listen to my words
the season of spring is near
now a look into your lovely eyes
and one can see spring is already here  

- Morhardt Carmen Mencita Monoi Angel

Are you excited for Spring?

xo Shannon

st. patrick's day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.

Even though my dad's side of the family is Irish, I didn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day until a couple of years ago. The holiday has a lot of sentimental meaning to me now though! It was on St. Patty's Day that I officially met my boyfriend. We were introduced through a friend of mine, and hit it off instantly. Now, whenever the holiday comes around, I remember the night that completely changed the course of my life.

On that note, here are some pictures to help you get into the mood to celebrate!

 

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

xo Shannon

i pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. i simply follow my own feelings.

Before I start today's post, I just wanted to acknowledge the whole GFC debacle! From what I understand, Google Reader will be gone after July 1st. I'm not entirely sure how this will affect people using Blogger and GFC, so if you've got a better grasp on this, please fill me in!

At any rate, I have already imported all of the blogs that I follow on my Google Reader to BlogLovin' - which you can do here. If you're not already following me on BlogLovin', I'd really appreciate it if you did - just to be safe! 

Now, with that business out of the way....
 

I may or may not be a makeup junkie. Either I'm given makeup for gifts (most likely from my mom!) or I buy it myself. Whatever the case may be - I have a lot. The thing is that I love trying out new products. There is something fun about searching for the perfect (insert-prooduct-here). It may or may not be an addiction.

With that said, I have a few new makeup products to review today! Here goes...

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer: Radiance
I was given this foundation primer by my mom for Christmas and have been using it on and off since then. Overall, I have mixed feelings about it. I love the texture of the primer and the sheer glow that it leaves on the skin. The scent is light, fresh, and quite nice, actually. This primer really does leave a nice glowy finish on the skin - living up to the radiance claim in the name. However, for me, I found this didn't help to even out my skin all that well or make my foundation last longer. I was a little disappointed, though this is not a bad product. For me, this simply didn't live up to my expectations.

Rimmel Moisture Renew: 300 Rose Blush
Lately, I've been looking for some natural, every day lipstick shades. When I came across this Rimmel one in Rose Blush, I was immediately taken by the shade. It is a deep, warm pink that is totally wearable but still leaves an impact. In terms of the shade? I love it. However, I didn't find this lipstick at all moisturizing, despite the name. If you have dry lips like I do, I'd suggest wearing a balm over top.

Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte: 102 Rossetto
What appeared to be a soft pink turned out to be a fun, bold, and vibrant pink. Even though it wasn't what I expected when I looked at the lipstick, I love this. It is girly and cute and I can see this lipstick shade being absolutely perfect for Spring and Summer. I love that the lipstick is matte and the packaging is really sleek, like everything from the Kate Moss line. Oddly enough, I actually found this lipstick to glide better on the lips than the Moisture Renew lipstick I mentioned above. Overall, I was really impressed with this lipstick. It's taking all of my willpower not to pick up a few other shades!

What makeup products have you tried lately? Have you tried any of these products?

xo Shannon

if winter comes, can spring be far behind?

Finally, Spring is coming. Thank goodness! It's not quite Spring yet, but that doesn't mean we can't get excited for it. In celebration of winter coming to a close, I wanted to profile Lauren Conrad's latest Spring collection for Kohls.

I am a big fan of Lauren and her designs...particularly her Spring collections. This Spring, her clothing line looks as gorgeous as ever. Standout pieces have to be the professional but cute blazers, the bright, fun colours, and the prints! She really plays with prints well, using floral prints and polka dots to create that fun, fresh Spring feeling.

My favourite pieces from this collection are the green and navy polka dot shorts, that pink floral blazer, and those floral printed denim jeans. Her collection is sweet and super feminine - perfect for Spring!

Here are some of my favourite looks from Lauren's Spring 2013 lookbook: 

What do you think of Lauren's Spring 2013 collection for Kohl's? Do you have a favourite piece?

To browse the full collection, be sure to head to the Kohl's website! Also, for 10% off your purchase, use the blogger code: BLOGS10 (valid until May 10th).

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a pair of Firmoo glasses! 

xo Shannon

you know us crazy kids. we'll do anything crazy to our hair.

Are you in a hair rut? I confess...I am.

For the last while - months and months, if I'm being honest! - I've worn my hair either curly or wavy. This is largely because it is easier since I have naturally wavy hair. I have fallen into the routine of putting my hair into a bun after my shower and just letting it air dry. When I want to something a little softer and romantic, I'll pull out my curling iron and add more definition to the waves.

On the other end of things, I used to straighten my hair. All the time. Pin straight hair or bust. However, my hair straightener has been neglected since the summer. I got into the habit of beachy waves and never really stopped!

Lately though, I've been trying to mix things up a bit. Rather than stay in my hair rut, I'm actively trying new things...just to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. Who knows how long this will last, but it's certainly forced me to be more creative when it comes to my hair!

What is your go-to hairstyle? Curly or straight?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a pair of Firmoo glasses! 

xo Shannon

I can't think without my glasses.

When I was in elementary school, I remember 'forgetting' my glasses at home every day. I absolutely hated my glasses. (Mostly I hated standing out from the other kids at school.) Now that I'm older, I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that glasses are actually fashionable!

I wear contacts the majority of the time, but sometimes it's fun to change up my look with a pair of cute, fashionable glasses instead. Recently, I was sent a gorgeous pair by Firmoo. They are tortoise shell - love, love, love! These glasses are totally my style and I can't wait to wear them out.

 A while back, I was able to try a pair of Firmoo sunglasses (If you missed the post, be sure to check it out!) so I already knew that their glasses were great quality. However, what really impressed me with these fashion glasses were just how cute and sturdy they were, that they came with extra screws (always important), and mostly how quickly they arrived! In just a couple days, the glasses were already at my doorstep.

When it comes to wearing glasses, I think the right makeup is key. I always try to do something a little darker with the eyeshadow to really play up the eyes. As you can see from this makeup look, a good lipstick is a must! I chose a deep red that would help balance out my face, but wouldn't distract from those amazing Firmoo glasses. I definitely tried to create a sophisticated, geek chic look!

I am definitely loving these glasses! If you want to find out more about Firmoo and their first-time buyer program, head to: http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html

For a chance to win your own pair of Firmoo glasses (including shipping; excluding designer glasses and sunglasses) or a $30 E-Voucher (for Firmoo designer glasses),  simply enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
What do you think of these Firmoo glasses? Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win your own!

xo Shannon

review: miss dior

 

Editing Note: Since Dior continues to support a court-certified wife beater, I no longer support the brand. Believe survivors. 

As I've mentioned before, I love fragrances. It seems that my collection keeps growing! My latest perfume love is Dior's Miss Dior. In general, I am a big fan of Dior products, so I was eager to try this one out. Once I smelled it, I fell in love.

Miss Dior is a sophisticated but fresh scent. I love how well it lasts. I spray some on in the morning and by evening, it's still there. It isn't overpowering, but isn't subtle either. It's the perfect balance. I really love wearing this perfume on a night out. It is the perfect way to finish off an outfit - beautiful and classy! I also really love the romantic look of the bottle. I can't get enough of this elegant fragrance.

What do you think of Miss Dior?

xo Shannon

the more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in.

Every girl wants dewy, natural, fresh looking skin. One of the ways to achieve this look is by using a highlighting product. I absolutely love the glow that the perfect highlight can create. Today, I am going to showcase some of my favourite high-end and drugstore highlights.

My favourite highlights are: 

High-end - NARS Silver Factory Illuminator and Anastasia Beverly Hills in Aspen

Drugstore - Joe Fresh Highlighting Quad and Hard Candy Glow All The Way

As you can see from my choices, these are all liquid or cream based highlights. While there are a ton of great powder highlights to choose from, they don't work well for me. Since I have dry skin, I tend to stick with cream highlights, especially during the winter months.

 L-R: NARS, Hard Candy, Anastasia Beverly Hills

Joe Fresh Highlighting Quad

Each of these highlights gives off a slightly different look. The NARS highlight has a bold, silvery finish; the Anastasia Beverly Hills highlight creates a gorgeous light shimmery glow; the Joe Fresh highlighting quad has four different highlights - one in white, a champagne shade, a gold tone, and a pink blush tone. Each gives off a sheer, natural looking glow; the Hard Candy highlight is cute and girly, with a light hint of shimmer.

These are some of my favourite highlighting products. What are yours?

xo Shannon

bless her, she's really young and sweet and orange.

 

I know, I know, I am ridiculously behind on this one....but I have recently become obsessed with the British TV show, The Only Way Is Essex. In my defense - I'm Canadian! I'd heard so much about this show for ages, so when I visited England last October, I picked up some of the DVDs.

I've been so insanely busy with work, work, and more work, that I hadn't had a chance to watch them. When I came down with a brutal cold a few weeks ago, I was forced to take it easy. So, I started watching TOWIE episodes.

I love love love the drama and the different people on the show. Their life is so totally different than my own, and it is just so glamorous and fascinating. I wish I was just half as glamorous as any of the girls on that show!

Out of everyone thus far, (I am only on Series 2!) my favourite person on the show is Amy Childs. I know that she isn't on for very long, but oh my gosh, her over-the-top, dramatic makeup is so fun! I love crazy glamorous makeup, so I always find her looks really fantastic.

Do you watch The Only Way Is Essex? What do you think of the over-the-top makeup?

xo Shannon